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Pearl Jewelry

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Creator: Ella Gafter
Gemstone: Pearl
Ella Gafter 15mm South Sea Pearl Diamond Clip On Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea Pearl and diamond earrings feature two 15mm diameter pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The design is complete with 0.25 carats of round diamonds. All of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl stud earrings feature two 15.5mm diameter pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The design is complete with two f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter 12mm Black Tahitian Pearl Diamond Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The earrings feature two 12mm diameter pearls from the waters of French Polynesia. They are being delivered to the customer with their natural hues and luster. The design is complete...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The earrings feature two 15.5mm diameter South Sea pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. All of our pearls are untreated: their natural color and high luster have not bee...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Heart Shape Diamond 17.5mm Pearl Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The heart shape diamond and pearl earrings feature two very large pearls of 17.5mm diameter with a heart shaped diamond design. The untreated South Sea pearls originate from the wate...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter White South Sea Pearl Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl stud earrings feature two 14.5mm diameter pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The design is complete with 2 diamonds (0.16 carats). All of our pear...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter 15.5mm South Sea Pearl Diamond Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond earrings feature two large pearls of 15.5mm diameter with a decorative triangular diamond design. The untreated South Sea pearls originate from the wa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter 16mm South Sea Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This pearl and diamond ring features a large South Sea pearl of 16mm diameter. The pearl is untreated. It displays a beautiful shape and fine nacre. Its natural color and luster have...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Pearl Diamond Hoop Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature a lovely pair of oval (15.5 x 14mm) pearls of fine quality nacre and beautiful lustre. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoops set...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Pearl Diamond Hoop Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature a lovely pair of oval (15 x 14mm) pearls of fine quality nacre and beautiful lustre. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoops set w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Ruby Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 15.5 x 14mm pearls of fine quality nacre and beautiful lustre. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoops set with round diamonds...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Pearl Diamond Hoop Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 15mm pearls of fine quality nacre and beautiful lustre. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoops set with round diamonds of top...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Pearl Diamond Hoop Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 13mm pearls of fine quality nacre and beautiful lustre. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoops set with round diamonds of top...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Tahitian Black Pearl Diamond Hoop Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The pair of earrings features 2 lovely Tahitian pearls of 13mm diameter and high luster, in an attractive grey color with slight pink hues. The pearls originate in French Polynesia a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Pearl Diamond Hoop Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 12mm pearls of fine quality nacre and beautiful lustre. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoops set with round diamonds of top...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter "The Dragon" Objet d'Art Sculpture Cuff Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
“The Dragon” sculpture cuff bracelet is the result of a three-year collaboration between Ella Gafter and gran maestro Pasquale. It was executed in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White ...

Ella Gafter White South Sea Pearl Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl stud earrings feature two 15mm diameter pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The design is complete with 2 diamonds (0.16 carats). All of our pearls ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Blue Sapphire South Sea Pearl Flower Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and South Sea pearl earrings feature a flower design on the ear with 12.66 carats of oval cut faceted Ceylon sapphires. The tops suspend 2 South Sea pearls of 15mm ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire,...

Ella Gafter Ruby Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond pendant features a ligature of 4 fancy-cut rubies of brilliant color (oval, heart shape and pear shape) and round diamonds suspending a splendid 18mm South Sea p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter 13.5mm South Sea Pearl Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl stud earrings feature two 13.5mm diameter pearls originate from the waters of Northwestern Australia. They display fine quality nacre and their natural color and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Blue Sapphire Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond pendant features an arrangement of oval shape faceted Ceylon sapphires accented with a crown of round diamonds. The jewel suspends a splendid South Sea ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Pink Sapphire Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pink sapphire pendant features a spray of oval and drop shape faceted sapphires accented with a crown of round diamonds. The jewel suspends a splendid South Sea pearl of the unus...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Whit...

Ella Gafter Ceylon Blue Sapphire Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features an articulated grapevine of drop shape faceted Ceylon blue sapphires flanking a spine of round diamonds. The jewel suspends a splendid South Sea pearl of extraor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Whit...

Ella Gafter Blue Sapphire Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire pendant features a spray of marquise shape faceted Ceylon sapphires spangled with a crown of round diamonds. The jewel suspends 2 splendid South Sea pearls, the lar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Pink Sapphire Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pink sapphire pendant necklace features an articulated grapevine of drop shape faceted gems flanking a spine of round diamonds. The jewel suspends a splendid South Sea pearl of a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry

Materials

South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Whit...

Ella Gafter Golden Pearl Yellow Sapphire Clip-On Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The sapphire and pearl earrings feature two 13.5mm South Sea pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls display beautiful nacre and a lovely golden color. They are ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Yellow Sapphire Golden Pearl Clip-On Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The two 15.5mm golden South Sea pearls originate from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls display beautiful nacre and a lovely golden color. They are untreated. The desi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Golden Pearl Diamond Clip-on Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This pair of golden pearl earrings features two lovely pearls of 16mm diameter topped by a crown of diamonds. The untreated South Sea pearls display a lovely nacre and intense golde...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter 14.5mm South Sea Pearl Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl stud earrings feature two 14.5mm diameter pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. They display fine quality nacre and their natural color and luster hav...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Golden Pearl Diamond Drop Hoop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The golden pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 15 x 13 mm pearls of fine quality nacre, beautiful lustre, and intense golden color. The pearls are suspended from hoops set wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Tahitian Black Pearl Diamond Hoop Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The pair features 2 lovely Tahitian pearls of 14.5mm diameter and high luster, in an attractive grey-green color. The pearls originate in French Polynesia and were subjected to no ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Golden Pearl Diamond Clip-on Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This pair of golden pearl earrings features two lovely pearls of 16mm diameter. The untreated South Sea pearls display a beautiful nacre and intense golden color. They are untreated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Tahitian Black Pearl Strand Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The Tahitian pearl necklace is composed of 37 pearls for a total elegant length of 18”. The pearls originate from the waters of Tahiti. Their diameter range is 12.5-11mm. They featur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Golden Pearl Diamond Clip-on Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This pair of golden pearl earrings features two lovely pearls of 14.5mm diameter. The untreated South Sea pearls display a beautiful nacre and intense golden color. They are untreat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Golden Pearl Diamond Clip-on Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This pair of golden pearl earrings features two lovely pearls of 16mm. The untreated South Sea pearls display a fine nacre and beautiful champagne color. Their natural color and lus...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Yellow Sapphire Diamond Pearl Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The sapphire and diamond pendant features a spray of marquise shape faceted yellow sapphires (8.20 carats) interleaved with round diamonds (1.48 carats). The jewel suspends an interm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Wh...

Ella Gafter Pearl Diamond Drop Hoop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The golden pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 14.5 mm pearls of fine quality nacre, beautiful lustre, and beautiful champagne color. The pearls are suspended from hoops set ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Sapphire Diamond Pearl Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The sapphire and diamond pendant features a spray of marquise shape faceted orange sapphires (10.50 carats) interleaved with round diamonds (0.95 carats). The jewel suspends an inter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Hoop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 14 x 13 mm pearls of fine quality nacre, beautiful lustre, and lovely pearl-white color. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Tahitian Pearl Diamond Ruby Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a fine, very large Tahitian Pearl of approximately 18mm x 16mm size. The pearl is untreated. It displays a splendid nacre and its natural color and luster have n...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Japanese 10.5/10mm Pearl Strand Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The Japanese pearl necklace consists of 40 pearls of splendid nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The Akoya pearls are homogeneous and have the rar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Blue Sapphire Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire pendant features a flower set with 4.20 carats of drop shape faceted blue sapphires suspending a lustrous Australian South Sea pearl of 17mm diameter by means of a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Diamond Sapphire Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a lovely 16mm pearl of splendid nacre and lustre. It suspends a cascade of briolette sapphires of pastel colors for an approximate weight of 12 carats. The desig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Bow Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond bow earrings feature a pair of 14mm pearls on the ear. The pearls suspend three graduating bows set with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Pendant Chain Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a splendid Australian South Sea Pearl of the exceptional size of 18 x 17mm. The pearl is untreated. It displays a beautiful nacre and its natural color and luste...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Tahitian Pearl Diamond Turquoise Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a fine, large Tahitian Pearl of approximately 16mm x 15mm size. The pearl is untreated. It displays a splendid nacre and its natural color and luster have not be...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Black Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, W...

Ella Gafter Emerald Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features faceted Zambian emeralds suspending a lovely 16.5mm South Sea pearl. The pendant is accompanied by an 20” 18 carat gold chain decorated with 8 motifs set with em...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Designer Ella Gafter Diamond 18K Gold Floral Wide Pearl Strand Bracelet
Located in Miami, FL
Luxurious & elegant pearl & diamond wide bracelet, made of 7 strands of 6.5 mm Akoya pearls with cream undertones, high luster, and minor blemishes. This piece was created by the De...
Category

1980s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Tahitian Pearl Diamond Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The necklace is a pearl and diamond set of 2 separate necklaces nestling into each other. The necklaces feature a total of 16 detachable South Sea pearls and 16 similarly detachable...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, W...

Ella Gafter Diamond Flower Basket Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
This diamond flower basket brooch features at the base a stylized basket of mother-of-pearl and crystal set with round diamonds en pavé. The total...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, C...

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Clip on Crescent Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This pair of South Sea pearl and diamond earrings features two splendid large South Sea pearls of 17mm diameter on the ear. The surrounding gold design is set with 1.10 carats of rou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter White South Sea Pearl Diamond Clip on Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This pair of earrings features two very large and splendid South Sea pearls of 17.5mm diameter with a diamond design. The untreated South Sea ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Art Déco Style Diamond Pearl Brooch
Located in New York, NY
The Art Déco style diamond brooch features a symmetrical design with a 14mm South Sea pearl suspending a 16.5mm South Sea pearl in a sophisticated design set with a total of 3 carats...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Art Déco style Pearl Diamond Onyx Cuff Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent pearl and diamond cuff bracelet features 24 rows each set with 10 Japanese Akoya pearls for a total of 240 lustrous pe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold

Ella Gafter Diamond Ruby Pearl Lariat Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The lariat chain is interleaved with sections of calibrated faceted rubies (6.30 carats) and further decorated with diamonds (0.50 carats). The chain suspends 2 glorious drop-shape T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter Heart Shape Ruby Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond pendant features a ligature of 3 fancy-cut rubies (heart shape, oval, and pear shape) and round diamonds suspending a splendid 18mm South Sea pearl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, 18k Gold

Ella Gafter Diamond Pearl Tassel Chandelier Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The diamond and pearl tassel chandelier earrings feature a cascade of Japanese Akoya pearls of beautiful nacre and high luster, and 4.80 carats of r...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The earrings feature two 16mm diameter South Sea pearls from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The design is complete with 4 diamonds of top quality (0.20 carats). All of our pea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry

Materials

White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage and Antique Pearl Jewelry

The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.

Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.

It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.

According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.

On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.

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